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Senator Ted Stevens Indicted in Corruption Case

By Kate Phillips July 29, 2008 1:09 pmJuly 29, 2008 1:09 pm

Updated A federal grand jury has indicted longtime Senator Ted Stevens, Republican of Alaska, on charges of failing to disclose receiving gifts of services and construction work as part of a wide-ranging corruption inquiry involving public officials and corporations in his home state. The indictment accuses Mr. Stevens of failing to report on his financial disclosure forms receiving gifts of more than $250,000 — in labor and construction materials — from Veco Corp.

Matthew Friedrich, assistant attorney general, said that at the same time that construction and architectural work was being done by Veco Corp. executives and employees on Mr. Stevens’ home in Girdwood, the corporation was seeking assistance on business-related matters. Among the services performed at the senator’s Girdwood home, called the “chalet” by the family, was the lifting of the building onto stilts with an entirely new first floor built, as well as such amenities as a Viking grill.

Despite the fact that Veco executives had longstanding ties with Mr. Stevens and lobbied him on federal matters, Mr. Friedrich cautioned that the indictment did not allege any quid pro quo. Mr. Stevens, however, did not reimburse the corporation for any of the work done at his home, he added.

Senator Stevens issued a statement in which he proclaimed his innocence, and said:

“I have proudly served this nation and Alaska for over 50 years. My public service began when I served in World War II. It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me. I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. Senator.

In accordance with Senate Republican Conference rules, I have temporarily relinquished my vice-chairmanship and ranking positions until I am absolved of these charges.

The impact of these charges on my family disturbs me greatly. I am innocent of these charges and intend to prove that.”

Just a year ago, federal agents raided Mr. Stevens’ home following questions about renovations at the home. A few months before that, an Alaska businessman, Bill J. Allen, admitted to bribery, and in court papers acknowledged making $243,000 in possibly illegal payments to a state lawmaker identified only as “Senator B.” That abbreviation referred to Senator Ted Stevens’s son, Ben Stevens.

The sprawling federal investigation that began more than four years ago has ensnared several local and state officials, as well as federal officials. The Anchorage Daily News has a breakdown of those who have been charged and/or convicted.

The 84-year-old senator has been running for re-election this year while he was under investigative scrutiny, a matter that had not gone unmentioned by Democrats. His opponent, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, has been campaigning hard against the longest-sitting Republican member of the Senate, and Democrats have been touting this race as among its most competitive this year.

Mr. Stevens was first appointed to the Senate in 1968, and has served nearly six full terms. He also had been a United States attorney in the 1950s.

Federal officials said they did not know whether Mr. Stevens would surrender to authorities here or in Alaska for an arraignment. Here’s a link to the full indictment.

On the one hand, this is sad for him personally and for us as a nation.

On the other hand, I can’t help but be jubilant. First, that Ted “Bridge to Nowhere” Stevens is finally experiencing some consequences of his actions. And second, that our government, although imperfect, is working well enough to investigate possible malfeasance. Bravo to the hard-working people of the FBI and the Justice Department, who I’m sure have worked many late nights on this.

Finally!!! This guy was corrupt to the core in his real estate transactions. The deals he made are very similar to the Obama/Rezco transactions. Is Obama next to be indicted? This would be unprecedented if Obama gets indicted between now and the election.

And just this morning, Politico broke the story about how the young’ins among the Republicans in the House are all set to tar the Democratic leadership the way poor Tom Delay was two years ago.

Let’s see…where was that quote…ah, yes:

“Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor, a leading voice for the party’s younger generation, met last week with a few of his GOP colleagues with an eye toward a new Republican messaging strategy that focuses less on energy issues and more on the negative news about prominent Democrats.

In a preview, one GOP aide declared: “By November, every American voter will know the name of Charlie Rangel the way they knew Tom DeLay in 2006. Count on it.”

Rest assured that if most politicians in the land were investigated, the “American” people would be surprised how many were corrupt.

How long can the situation according to which high heeled individuals and organizations (businesses, and others) simply give money for favors under the guise of “campaign/political” contributions continue? Amazingly, the Supreme Court views this as “free speech”, a glaring antinomy since it is speech that is paid for!

It is simply corruption, period. To think that the Us government spends much money fighting corruption abroad in the name of “democracy”. Clearly, as the Stevens dynasty in Alaska and many others throughout the Union show, political life in these US of A needs a thorough cleansing. “change you can believe in” anyone?

At last, we’re beginning to scrape the surface of what has to be the most corrupt and stinking sludge of an administration since Boss Tweed. Now, let’s scoop deeper until we get to the office of the Vice President! CHEERS!

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